Rack for storing phonograph records within the standard jacket envelopes



Aug. 18, 1964 PUNT 3,144,943

RACK FOR STORING FHONOGRAPH RECORDS WITHIN THE STANDARD JACKET ENVELOPES Filed May 15, 1963 3 Sheets-Sneet 1 j NEAL PUNT INVENTOR.

FIG. I

Aug. 18, 1964 PUNT 3,144,943

RACK FOR STORING FHONOGRAPH RECORDS WITHIN THE; STANDARD JACKET ENVELOPES Filed May 15, 1963 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 2 NEAL PUNT INVENTOR.

BY A 2 w m v Aug. 18, 1964 N. PUNT 3,144,943

RACK FOR STORING PHONOGRAPH RECORDS WITHIN THE STANDARD JACKET ENVELOPES Filed May 15 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.

NEAL PUNT INVENTOR United States Patent 3,144,943 RACK lFDll. STQRlNG PHUNGGEAPH RECQRDS lVlTldlN THE STANDARD JACKET ENVELUFES Neal Punt, lite. 1, Coopersville, Mich. Filed May 15, 1963, her. No. 286,667 7 (Claims. (Cl. Hit-4d) This invention relates to the construction of racks for storing phonograph records. It is desirable to leave the records within the decorative and protective envelopes in which they are marketed. Much explanatory and reference material is included on these envelope jackets, and this material should not be discarded. The envelopes are usually constructed of fairly stiff cardboard, and are open along one edge. The present invention provides a structure for receiving, indexing, protecting and selectively opening the envelopes to expose the contained record for manual withdrawal. The selected envelope normally remains open until the record is re-inserted, and the opening device is then removed and applied to another envelope.

The opening function provided by this invention is based upon the generation of compressive forces applied between the edges of the envelope adjacent the ends of the open side. These forces buckle the material of the envelope from approximate parallelism to an outwardly bowed condition to expose the record. The several features of the invention will be analyzed in further detail through a discussion of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of the storage rack with several envelopes positioned in it. The opening device is inserted, and an envelope is bowed outwardly to provide access to the contained envelope.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, in section, of the device shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the manner of manufacture of the wedging devices.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view of the preferred arrangement for the front portion of the base for indexing purposes.

The rack illustrated in the drawings includes a base structure generally indicated at lit providing a surface 11 for supporting a group of record envelope jackets standing on edge. The base also provides an inclined surface 12, which intersects the surface 111 in the preferred form of the invention. The structural details of the base may vary widely with the type of manufacturing involved, the illustrated form being primarily of wood construction. The upper and lower panels 13 and 14 may be of wood or any convenient panel material that is commercially available. A group of stilfeners 15 separates the panels 13 and 14, and extends between the rear rail in and the front piece 117.

A group of bent wire members 18 separates and provides lateral stability for the envelopes l9, and the rear portion 2% of the wire members 18 extends vertically for a substantial distance above the surface 11. The frontal portion 231 of the wire members 18 is kept in fairly close proximity to the surface 11 to avoid interference with the outward bowing of the sides of the envelopes U as the opening device is applied. In the preferred construction, the group of wire members 18 are bonded by soldering, welding, or more equivalent process to the rear rod 22 and to the front rod 23. In this arrangement, the entire assembly of the wire members 12 can be handled and installed as a unit. The rods 22 and 23 may be separately fastened in the grooves 24 and 25, or the grooves may be so proportioned as to provide a forced fit for retaining the wire assembly.

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The envelopes 1% are inserted in the rack with the open edges facing the front (to the left, as shown in FIGURE 2), with the underside resting on the surface 11 of the base iii. The envelopes are inserted between the wire separator members 13 until the rear edge of the envelopes contacts the portion 26 of the rear rail to, which functions as a stop establishing the limit position to which the envelopes may be inserted. With the envelopes fully inserted, the horizontal beam 27 of the arch structure 28 extends across the top of the envelopes with a slight clearance, the primary function of this beam being to prevent lifting of the envelopes as the opening device is inserted. The vertical beams 29 supporting the beam 2? transfer forces to the base structure, and the envelopes are trapped edgewise between the opening device and the beam 27, as best shown in FIGURE 1. The front edge of the envelopes, in the fully inserted storage position, is disposed slightly behind the offset 3t) of the beam 27. The presence of this offset prevents a tendency for the envelopes to move outward, which might conceivably take place either under accidental conditions, or as a result of withdrawal of the opening device on repeated occasions.

The opening device itself is preferably in the form of a wedge having approximately the same angle as the angle of deviation between the surface 12 and the surface 11. The narrow Web portion 311 of the wedge 32 is inserted between the particular wire members 18 which are on opposite sides of the desired envelope. The normal condition of the envelope it is supported on the surface 111 involves a considerable amount of overhang of the bottom edge 33 above the inclined surface 12. The wedge is freely insertable in this area before the trough portion 34- of the wedge engages the edge 33. Continued pressure tending to force the wedge member to the right (refer to FIGURE 4) will then result in a tendency to elevate the edge 33, this action being restrained by the presence of the beam 227. The net result is a buckling action which hows the sides of the envelope w outwardly to expose the contained record 34- so that it may be grasped manually without diihculty. The envelope remains in the confinement of the storage rack, and the continued presence of the wedge 32 leaves the envelope open for the ready reinsertion of the record after it has been played.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the preferred arrangement for the manufacture of the wedges, and this is accomplished by machining a long strip having trough portions along opposite edges, and with sutlicient width between these to accommodate the webs 31 of two oppositely-facing wedge members. The material as machined in strip form is cut along the dotted lines shown in FIGURE 3 make the individual Wedge members. The strip 35 can be either machined from wood, or may be formed as a plastic extrusion. In either case, the trough portions 36 and 37 conform to the trough 34- shown in FIGURE 1.

in the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 4, the wedge member 3% has the web portion 39 cut out as shown at 40 to embrace a retaining rod 41 that extends along the full length of the front of the base. The wedge member 38 may be moved along the rod 41 to the se lected point where it is to be inserted. Enough freedom of movement of the wedge member 33 is provided as a result of the size of the cut-out 4%) to permit disengagement from the wire members 18. The rod ll may have its ends turned down in a U-configuration for engagement with the material of the front piece 17, as shown in FIG- URE 4, or any other convenient method of securing may be used. An alternative method for retaining the wedge member 32 with the rack to avoid loss is the use of the chain shown in FIGURE 1. One end of this chain is secured at a convenient point to the central portion of the front piece 17, and the opposite end is secured in any convenient fashion to the wedge member.

The rack may be used as an indexing device through the application of indicia to the surface 12, as indicated in FIGURE 5. A series of numbers is associated with configurations which point to the spaces between the wire separator members 18, and these numbers may be appropriately indexed on any convenient sheet which will show a particular record corresponding to the number. It is preferable that the offset 36 be positioned so that it does not engage the upper edge of the envelopes until a wedge has been inserted, leaving a slight clearance under the bottom edge 43 in the normal position of the envelopes so that they may be inserted and removed from the rack without excessive distortion. The indexing system can be kept currently modified so that the numbers on the indicia face 44 correspond to the enevlopes actually in storage.

The illustrated form of the rack can be used as an independent device, or it may be an insert in a conventional cabinet. In either case, the base may be inclined to the horizontal so that the front of the base is above the rear. This arrangement usually results in more convenient insertion and removal of the records and envelopes.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In combination with a group of standard-size phonograph record envelopes, a rack for storing said envelopes and the records contained therein, comprising:

a base having an envelope-supporting portion with a depth dimension less than the length of an edge of said standard-size envelopes, and having a front inclined portion intersecting said envelope-supporting portion, said envelopes normally having a portion of said edge overhanging said inclined portion;

arch means fixed with respect to said base and including a beam disposed adjacent to and above the normal position of the top of said envelopes,

said beam having a downwardly-extending offset in front of the normal position of said envelopes;

lateral support means for said envelopes including a plurality of parallel bent wire members spaced apart appropriately to receive said envelopes freely therebetween,

said members having portions disposed toward the rear of said base which extend vertically to a substantial height to stabilize the said envelopes; wedge means insertable between said members, and between said inclined portion and the overhanging edge of said envelopes, whereby force insertion of said wedge means generates forces between said beam and said wedge means which open said envelopes to expose the contained records,

said wedge means including a web portion receivable between said mcmbcrs and also including a top trough engageable with said overhanging edge, said trough being disposed above the forward portion of said members on insertion of said wedge means, and

stop means on said base establishing the inserted position of said envelopes between said members.

2. In combination with a group of standard-size phonograph record envelopes, a rack for storing said envelopes and the records contained therein, comprising:

a base having an envelope-supporting portion with a depth dimension less than the length of an edge of said standard-size envelopes, and having a front inclined portion intersecting said envelope-supporting portion, said envelopes normally having a portion of said edge overhanging said inclined portion;

arch means fixed with respect to said base and including a beam disposed adjacent to and above the normal position of the top of said envelopes;

lateral support means for said envelopes including a plurality of parallel bent wire members spaced apart appropriately to receive said envelopes freely therebetween,

said members having portions disposed toward the rear of said base which extend vertically to a substantial height to stabilize the said envelopes;

wedge means insertable between said members, and between said inclined portion and the overhanging edge of said envelopes, whereby forced insertion of said wedge means generates forces between said beam and said wedge means which open said envelopes to expose the contained records,

said wedge means including a web portion receivable between said members and also including a top trough engageable with said overhanging edge,

said trough being disposed above the forward portion of said members on insertion of said wedge means,

said web portion having an opening therein;

a retaining bar secured to said base and traversing said web opening, said wedge means having a freedom of movement to disengage from said members and to move to wedging position; and

stop means on said base establishing the inserted position of said envelopes between said members.

3. In combination with a group of standard size phonograph record envelopes, a rack for storing said envelopes and the records contained therein, comprising:

a base having an envelope-supporting portion with a depth dimension less than the length of an edge of said standard-size envelopes, and having a front in clined portion intersecting said envelope-supporting portion, said envelopes normally having a portion of said edge overhanging said inclined portion;

arch means fixed with respect to said base and including a beam disposed adjacent to and above the normal position of the top of said envelopes;

lateral support means for said envelopes including a plurality of parallel members spaced apart appropriately to receive said envelopes freely therebetween,

said members having portions disposed toward the the rear of said base which extend vertically to a substantial height to stabilize the said envelopes;

wedge means insertable between said members, and between said inclined portion and the overhanging edge of said envelopes, whereby forced insertion of said wedge means generates forces between said beam and said wedge means which open said envelopes to expose the contained records,

said wedge means including a web portion receivable between said members and also including a top trough engageable with said overhanging edge,

said trough being disposed above the forward portion of said members on insertion of said wedge means; and

stop means on said base establishing the inserted position of said envelopes between said members.

4. In combination with a group of standard-size phonograph record envelopes, a rack for storing said envelopes and the records contained therein, comprising:

a base having an envelope-supporting portion with a depth dimension less than the length of an edge of said standard-size envelopes, and having a front inclined portion adjacent said envelope-supporting portion, said envelopes normally having a portion of said edge overhanging said inclined portion;

arch means fixed with respect to said base and including a beam disposed adjacent to and above the normal position of the top of said envelopes;

lateral support means for said envelopes including a plurality of parallel members spaced apart appropriately to receive said envelopes freely therebetween,

said members having portions disposed toward the rear of said base which extend vertically to a substantial height to stabilize the said envelopes; wedge means insertable between said members, and between said inclined portion and the overhanging edge of said envelopes, whereby forced insertion of said wedge means generates forces between said beam and said wedge means which open said envelopes to expose the contained records,

said wedge means including a web portion receivable between said members and also including a top trough engageable with said overhanging edge; and

top means on said base establishing the inserted position of said envelopes between said members.

5. In combination with a group of standard-size phonograph record envelopes, a rack for storing said envelopes and the records contained therein, comprising:

a base having an envelope-supporting portion with a depth dimension less than the length of an edge of said standard-size envelopes, and having a front inclined portion adjacent said envelope-supporting portion, said envelopes normally having a portion of said edge overhanging said inclined portion;

arch means fixed with respect to said base and including a beam disposed adjacent to and above the normal position of the top of said envelopes;

lateral support means for said envelopes including a plurality of parallel members spaced apart appropriately to receive said envelopes freely therebetween,

said members having portions disposed toward the rear of said base which extend vertically to a substantial height to stabilize the said envelopes; and

Wedge means insertable between said members, and between said inclined portion and the overhanging edge of said envelopes, whereby forced insertion of said wedge means generates forces between said beam and said wedge means which open said envelopes to expose the contained records.

6. In combination with a group of standard-size phonograph record envelopes, a rack for storing said envelopes and the records contained therein, comprising:

a base having an envelope-supporting portion with a depth dimension less than the length of an edge of said standard-size envelopes, and having a front offset portion adjacent said envclope-supporting portion, said envelopes normally having a portion of said edge overhanging said offset portion;

arch means fixed with respect to said base and including a beam disposed adjacent to and above the normal position of the top of said envelopes;

lateral support means for said envelopes including a plurality of parallel members spaced apart appropriately to receive said envelopes freely therebetween;

Wedge means insertable between said members, and between said olfset portion and the overhanging edge of said envelopes, whereby forced insertion of said wedge means generates forces between said beam and said wedge means which open said envelopes to expose the contained records,

said wedge means including a web portion receivable between said members and also including a top trough engageable with said overhanging edge; and

stop means on said base establishing the inserted position of said envelopes between said members.

7. In combination with a group of standard-size phonograph record envelopes, a rack for storing said envelopes and the records contained therein, comprising:

a base having an envelope-supporting portion with a depth dimension less than the length of an edge of said standard-size envelopes, and having a front offset portion adjacent said envelope-supporting portion, said envelopes normally having a portion of said edge overhanging said oifset portion;

arch means fixed with respect to said base and including a beam disposed adjacent to and above the normal position of the top of said envelopes;

lateral support means for said envelopes including a plurality of parallel members spaced apart appropriately to receive said envelopes freely therebetween; and

wedge means insertable between said members, and between said offset portion and the overhanging edge of said envelopes, whereby forced insertion of said said wedge means generates forces between said beam and said wedge means which open said envelopes to expose the contained records.

Cukier Jan. 28, 1908 Yerkes Feb. 26, 1952 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A GROUP OF STANDARD-SIZE PHONOGRAPH RECORD ENVELOPES, A RACK FOR STORING SAID ENVELOPES AND THE RECORDS CONTAINED THEREIN, COMPRISING: A BASE HAVING AN ENVELOPE-SUPPORTING PORTION WITH A DEPTH DIMENSION LESS THAN THE LENGTH OF AN EDGE OF SAID STANDARD-SIZE ENVELOPES, AND HAVING A FRONT INCLINED PORTION INTERSECTING SAID ENVELOPE-SUPPORTING PORTION, SAID ENVELOPES NORMALLY HAVING A PORTION OF SAID EDGE OVERHANGING SAID INCLINED PORTION; ARCH MEANS FIXED WITH RESPECT TO SAID BASE AND INCLUDING A BEAM DISPOSED ADJACENT TO AND ABOVE THE NORMAL POSITION OF THE TOP OF SAID ENVELOPES, SAID BEAM HAVING A DOWNWARDLY-EXTENDING OFFSET IN FRONT OF THE NORMAL POSITION OF SAID ENVELOPES; LATERAL SUPPORT MEANS FOR SAID ENVELOPES INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL BENT WIRE MEMBERS SPACED APART APPROPRIATELY TO RECEIVE SAID ENVELOPES FREELY THEREBETWEEN, SAID MEMBERS HAVING PORTIONS DISPOSED TOWARD THE REAR OF SAID BASE WHICH EXTEND VERTICALLY TO A SUBSTANTIAL HEIGHT TO STABILIZE THE SAID ENVELOPES; WEDGE MEANS INSERTABLE BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS, AND BETWEEN SAID INCLINED PORTION AND THE OVERHANGING EDGE OF SAID ENVELOPES, WHEREBY FORCE INSERTION OF SAID WEDGE MEANS GENERATES FORCES BETWEEN SAID BEAM AND SAID WEDGE MEANS WHICH OPEN SAID ENVELOPES TO EXPOSE THE CONTAINED RECORDS, SAID WEDGE MEANS INCLUDING A WEB PORTION RECEIVABLE BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS AND ALSO INCLUDING A TOP TROUGH ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID OVERHANGING EDGE, SAID TROUGH BEING DISPOSED ABOVE THE FORWARD PORTION OF SAID MEMBERS ON INSERTION OF SAID WEDGE MEANS, AND STOP MEANS ON SAID BASE ESTABLISHING THE INSERTED POSITION OF SAID ENVELOPES BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS. 